Much like the annual celebration of Independence Day on the Fourth of July, Juneteenth is an important part of America's historic fabric and ongoing progress towards liberty and equality for all of its citizens. Although annual Juneteenth celebrations have been held by many African Americans since June 19, 1866, the holiday was first officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 after a Congressional bill was signed by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. Upon hearing the decree, many formerly enslaved Black citizens had a reason to celebrate their new found freedom. It wasn't until Jthat Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, in Galveston, Texas, delivered the Proclamation to the area. The Presidential Executive Order did not reach the entire country until two and a half years later, meaning there were still hundreds of thousands of enslaved people during that time. The Executive Order declared “all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free,” and the subsequent supporting passage of the 13th Amendment on January 31, 1865, provided that 'Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.' Despite popular belief, news of freedom did not become a reality for all enslaved Black people until later on. Many people still believe all enslaved people were granted freedom with the issuance of the Emancipation of Proclamation on Januby President Abraham Lincoln.

Juneteenth (also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day) takes place on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery throughout the United States.

Free general quote